This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has made a significant announcement: Nairobi will no longer airlift patients from other counties for treatment.
Speaking on the current state of the pandemic, Kagwe emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating that devolution is being tested.
“There will be no air-lifting people from counties to Nairobi. There will be no capacity to be brought to Nairobi for treatment as Nairobi itself will be already overwhelmed,” Kagwe said.
His statement has inadvertently provided a defense for Nairobians, who have been facing stigma from villagers due to the city's status as an epicenter of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Kenyans in other counties have been taunting city dwellers, warning them not to visit and risk infecting them with the deadly virus.
According to Kagwe, some counties have performed well in their response to the pandemic, while others have struggled.
“Right now, we cannot predict which counties will have a heavy load. Counties need to be ready as it is a great test for devolution, my appeal is to the leadership of the counties to get prepared,” he added.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had previously announced the gradual reopening of the economy, lifting lockdowns in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties subject to 21-day monitoring of infection patterns.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal that only 10% of infections are symptomatic, with over 65% of those infected being males in the 30-39 age group.
